Device for operating a multiple position armchair, seat or couch, including a means for supporting the small of the back

Abstract

The present invention relates to an operating device for a seat, an armchair or a couch, where the angle between the base (3) and the back(4) can be modified, so that the user can move from a sitting position to a position of relaxation, merely through the action of his body. The invention provides a retractable supporting means for the small of the back comprised of a flap (10) pivoting around an axis (11) and of a support (32) with a roller (33), integral with the base, and capable of positioning the retractable supporting means for the small of the back by pivoting the flap as the displacement of hte user's body proceeds.

I claim: 
     
       1. An actuation device for a multi-position seat such as an armchair or a couch comprising: a fixed frame structure having a substantially horizontal seat portion and a substantially vertical back portion;   a movable frame structure having a seat portion and a back portion which are respectively substantially horizontal and substantially vertical when said seat portion of said movable frame structure is in a first position, said seat portion of said movable frame structure being movable relative to said seat portion of said fixed frame structure and said back portion of said movable frame structure being movable relative to said back portion of said fixed frame structure, and said seat portion of said movable frame structure being pivotable relative to said back portion of sad movable frame structure;   first and second linking members each pivotally coupled to both said fixed and movable frame structures;   a flap member pivotally coupled to said back portion of said movable frame structure; and   a support member fixedly mounted on said seat portion of said movable frame structure, said support member being arranged to contact said flap member at a point on said flap member away from a point at which said flap member is pivotally coupled to said back portion of said movable frame structure,   whereby said back portion of said movable frame structure pivots away from its substantially vertical position and said flap member is caused to pivot in a forward direction relative to said back portion of said movable frame structure by said support member in response to said seat portion of said movable frame structure being translated in said forward direction from said first position to a second position.   
     
     
       2. The actuation device as defined in claim 1, wherein a head support is pivotally coupled to said first linking member and is coupled to said back portion of said movable frame structure by way of third, fourth and fifth linking members pivotally coupled in series therebetween, whereby said head support is moved from a position of rearward inclination relative to said back portion of said movable frame structure to a position of substantial alignment with said back portion of said movable frame structure in response to said seat portion of said movable frame structure being translated from said first position to said second position. 
     
     
       3. The actuation device as defined in claim 1, wherein said back portion of said movable frame structure comprises first and second frame members arranged in parallel and connected by a substantially horizontal connecting member, said flap member being pivotally coupled to said connecting member and said first frame member being pivotally coupled to said first linking member. 
     
     
       4. The actuation device as defined in claim 2, wherein said third linking member is fixedly connected to said head support, said fifth linking member is fixedly connected to said back portion of said movable frame structure, and said fourth linking member is pivotally coupled to said third and fifth linking members. 
     
     
       5. The actuation device as defined in claim 1, wherein said seat portion of movable frame structure is urged toward said first position by a spring means. 
     
     
       6. The actuation device as defined in claim 5, wherein said spring means is coupled to said back portion of said fixed frame structure and to one of said linking members.